The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has announced the cancellation of 83% of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs. This decision follows a six-week review period and affects approximately 5,200 contracts, which Rubio claims were not serving U.S. national interests and, in some cases, were harmful. The remaining 18% of programs will be managed by the State Department, as reported by The Hill.
Rubio thanked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for their assistance in the review process, despite recent tensions between Musk and Rubio. The cuts have sparked criticism, with some arguing that the move could lead to preventable deaths and destabilization in regions reliant on U.S. aid.
The dismantling of USAID marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, which has traditionally been seen as a tool for stabilizing regions and promoting national security. The rapid termination of contracts has resulted in aid groups and USAID partners laying off tens of thousands of workers both in the U.S. and abroad.
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